The Best Way to ferment kimchi
Hey there! Making kimchi is actually pretty fun and not as hard as you might think. Here's a simple way to do it:
- Start with fresh Napa cabbage, cut it into 2-inch pieces, and soak it in salty water for 2 hours.
- While waiting, mix together:
- Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- Minced garlic
- Grated ginger
- Fish sauce
- Chopped green onions
- Grated carrots
- Drain and rinse your cabbage, then mix it with your spice paste until everything's well coated.
- Pack it all into a clean jar, leaving some space at the top because it'll bubble up!
- Let it sit at room temperature (around 70°F) for 2-5 days. You'll see bubbles forming - that's good!
- Taste it daily. When it's tangy enough for you, pop it in the fridge.
Pro tip: Press the kimchi down each day to keep it submerged in its juice. This helps it ferment better!
How do you know it's ready?
- You'll see bubbles
- It'll smell sour (in a good way!)
- The cabbage will be softer
- It'll taste tangy
Sources:
Maangchi's Easy Kimchi Recipe
Korean Bapsang Traditional Method